Crowdfunding for Readers

Kickstarter? More like lit-starter

Every Friday for the past few months, we've been featuring local film projects' Kickstarter campaigns in the Kickstart Your Weekend series.

But what about the other local projects? These three campaigns are all to support local literary products.

The Ascender

Johnston Ayala is launching "a digital magazine using investigative, narrative journalism to explore futuristic thought and innovation." The Ascender aims to be a biweekly publication with about five long reads per issue, with a focus on the future. As the campaign explains: "Through examining these stories, our mission is to gain a deeper understanding of human nature, how we live now, and effectively create a BETTER future." Though the launch date is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 15, the crowdfunding campaign is only up for one more week.

The Astronomer

Austin artist Matt Rebholz is busily at work on the third chapter of The Astronomer, his graphic novel. "Our Is a Hungry God!" is already funded, but you have 46 hours as of this writing to get in on the rewards, which include custom-inked drawings, copperplate etchings, and the usual swag of T-shirts and digital downloads. Check out the full details – plus a nine-page preview of the latest – here.

Beauty Tips for the Bereaved

This book by Sunny Haralson will be the first release by local outfit Vivian Valentine Press. Haralson wrote the story, inspired by real events, and she also illustrated it with charming ink drawings. This campaign is brand new today, so you've got a full two weeks to help it reach its $17,500 goal in exchange for autographed copies, posters, handmade children's toys and dresses, and more.